Merlot

Why does a bar that specializes in overpriced martinis with cutesy names name itself after a red wine? And those over-priced martinis with cutesy names are so contrived that the bartenders need to continually refer to a recipe guide. (Although the himbo bartender managed to construct an Absolut martini without guidance.) Merlot is trying to hard to be hip and failing miserably. The ambiance, if it can be called that, is dominated by decor chosen by George Jetson on a drunken shopping spree at Ikea, with a nod to bad op-art.

Merlot was the only bar visited by the Barflies (so far) that had something resembling a dress code. Ironically, Mr, Draft's Barfly colleague, Mr. Merlot, was asked to remove his baseball cap upon entering the establishment (a fashion tip thoroughly endorsed, by the way, by Mr. Draft, who believes that baseball caps should not be worn by grown men, unless they are at a ballpark,,,and actually playing baseball.)

And, of course, as the specialty is martinis, there were no drafts. Except the chilly reception...

No drafts, an atmosphere stolen from Futurama, a needless dress code, and over-priced martinis...Mr. Draft gives it a 2.